The Pajingo gold operation is continuing to invest in the future of its North Queensland site, with work underway on a new $16 million tailings storage facility.

Exact Civil Construction is back on site for the work after successfully carrying out an expansion project on the gold mine’s existing tailings storage facility last year.

At about $23 million, that job came in at $3.5 million under budget and ahead of schedule according to Pajingo gold mine operations general manager Gary Goh.

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He said Exact Civil Construction had been carrying out some preparatory work for the liner in late September and that the liner crew was due on site this month.

Mr Goh said TSF2 was based on a borrow pit that had been used for material to upgrade TSF1 and bring its walls up to closure level.

The company has been granted approval for the work and paid a $5.2 million surety to the State Government.

The work was expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023, Mr Goh said.

The Pajingo gold mine, 50km south of Charters Towers, has doubled production in the past year on the back of its $60 million Lynne decline development.

The operation is now mining the Lynne area as well as the adjoining Steph ore body and the long-time Vera Nancy workings.